Upload
stephenlogan1732
View
212
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
1/110
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
2/110
DIGEST OF LAWS
ORDER OF
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Adopted and Proclaimed by
The National Grange
2009 Edition
1616 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
3/110
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
4/110
DIGEST OF LAWS
OF THE
ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Including the Constitution of the Order; the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the National Grange
the Codes of Laws of the Various Granges of the Division of the Order and the Codes of Laws Regulat-
ing the Ritual, Degrees and Regalia, Judiciary and Parliamentary Matters of the Order as Adopted by the
National Grange, November 13, 1996, as amended.
Adopted and Proclaimed by the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry Effective as of
November 13, 1996
(SIGNED) Kermit Richardson, Master
Shirley Lawson, Secretary
Copyright 2008 National Grange
of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
5/110
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
6/110
I 2009 Edition
Chapter I
CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Preface...................................................................1
Preamble...............................................................1
Amended Constitution...........................................1
Divisions of the Order ...........................................1
Associate Members...............................................2
Organization, Regulation and
Administration......................................................2
Charters.................................................................3
Incorporation.........................................................3
Membership..........................................................4
Application Fees and Membership Dues..............4
Ofcers.................................................................4
Sale, Encumbrances or Transfer of Real
and/or Personal Property......................................4
Retention of Real and Personal Property For Usein Accordance With the General Purposes of the
Order.....................................................................5
Activities, Earning and Distribution of Assets
on Dissolution or Final Liquidation......................5
Religious and Political Policy ..............................5
Anniversary of the Order.......................................5
Amendments.........................................................6
Chapter II
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE OF THE
NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Preamble........................................................7
General Objectives................................................7
Specic Objectives................................................7
Business Relations.................................................7
Education..............................................................7
The Grange, Not Partisan.......................................8
Outside Cooperation..............................................8
Conclusion............................................................8
Chapter III
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE
NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY............................9
Chapter IV
BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF
THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Constitution and Articles of Incorporation........11
Ofces and Seal...................................................11
Charters............................................................11
Consolidation of Subordinate Granges...............12
Suspension or Revocation of Charters...............14
Membership.......................................................15
Voting.................................................................20
Funds...................................................................20
Meetings.............................................................22
Ofcers...............................................................23
Sale, Encumbrance or Transfer of Real Property of
Subordinate or Pomona Granges.......................28
Property of Granges Which Surrender Their Char-
ter or Whose Charter Has Been Revoked...........31
Reports of State Granges to the National Grange.........................................................................32
Ofcial Communications of the National Grange
.................................................................32
Committees - All Grange....................................32
Fiscal Year...........................................................33
Adoption, Amendment or Repeal of By-Laws of
the National Grange and Grange Laws of the
Order................................................................33
Chapter V
CODE OF THE JUNIOR GRANGE
Organization......................................................34
Duties of Ofcers................................................34
Ritual...................................................................35
Chapter VI
CODE OF THE SUBORDINATE GRANGE
Organization......................................................36
Charter...............................................................37
Jurisdiction.........................................................38Membership.......................................................38
Balloting Membership Applications...................38
Honorary Membership........................................39
Suspension of Members......................................40
Traveling Card.....................................................40
Demit...............................................................40
Vote..................................................................41
Membership Dues...............................................41
Table of Contents
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
7/110
II2009 Edition
Meetings..........................................................42
Annual Word.......................................................42
Installation of Ofcers........................................42
Duties and Authority of Ofcers........................42
Responsibility Of Mailing Lists..........................43
Chapter VII
CODE OF THE POMONA GRANGE
Preamble............................................................44
Organization......................................................44
Membership.......................................................44
Application Fees..................................................45
Dues...................................................................45
Demits ...............................................................45
Meetings............................................................45
Duties of Ofcers.................................................45
Responsibilities..................................................45
Chapter VIII
CODE OF THE STATE GRANGE
Authority of a State Grange...............................47
Annual Meeting...................................................47
Elections............................................................48
Authority of the Master......................................48
Membership Reports...........................................48
Membership Dues...............................................49
Quarterly Reports................................................49Subordinate and Pomona Granges.....................49
National Grange Annual Meeting......................49
Responsibility Of Mailing Lists..........................50
Chapter IX
CODE OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE
Authority of the National Grange......................51
Authority of National Master.............................51
Duties of Executive Committee.........................51Annual Meeting...................................................51
Foreign Granges..................................................52
Order of Election of Ofcers...............................52
Compensation of Ofcers....................................52
Changes to Ritual and Procedures.....................52
Responsibility Of Mailing Lists..........................52
Chapter X
CODE OF ALL GRANGES
Policy...............................................................53
Voting...............................................................53
Meetings..........................................................53
Election............................................................54
Authority of Masters...........................................55
Acting Master......................................................55
Annual Word.......................................................55
Duties of Secretary...............................................55
Suspension or Termination of Membership.........56
Student Granges..................................................56
Alcoholic Beverages...........................................56
Denitions............................................................56
Chapter XI
CODE OF RITUAL, DEGREES AND REGALIAJunior Grange......................................................57
Subordinate Grange............................................57
Pomona Grange...................................................57
State Grange........................................................58
National Grange..................................................58
Assembly of Demeter.........................................59
Grange Meetings.................................................59
Regalia.................................................................60
Chapter XII
CODE OF JUDICIAL LAW
Rulings on Grange Law.......................................61
Rules and Regulations for Grange Trials............61
State Procedures..................................................62
Procedures as to National Delegate, Ofcer of
National Grange, and Ofcer of Assembly of
Demeter.............................................................63
Procedures as to National Master......................65
Procedural Guide.................................................67
Chapter XIII
CODE OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW
Preface.............................................................68
Reports of Committees.......................................68
Motions............................................................68
Times of Speaking...............................................68
Debate .................................................................69
Table of Contents
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
8/110
III 2009 Edition
Privileged Questions...........................................69
To Adjourn..........................................................69
Take Recess.........................................................69
Question of Privilege...........................................69
Orders of the Day................................................70
Lay on the Table..................................................70
The Previous Question........................................70
Postponement to a Day Certain...........................70
To Commit..........................................................70
Amendments......................................................70
Indenite Postponement......................................71
Suspension of Rules............................................71
Division of the Grange........................................71
Yeas and Nays ....................................................71
The Question.......................................................71
Division of the Question.....................................72
Question of Order................................................72
Reconsideration.................................................72Rescinding and Expunging.................................72
Committee of the Whole......................................72
Parliamentary Reference Chart...........................73
Table of Contents
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
9/110
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
10/110
1 2009 Edition
PREFACE
1.0.1 The Preamble to the rst Constitution of the
Order of Patrons of Husbandry was written by
William Saunders, rst Master of the National
Grange, and adopted at the rst delegate session (6th
session) of the National Grange, held at George-
town, D.C., January 8-11, 1873. The Preamble and
the Constitution were adopted on January 9, 1873.
The Preamble has never been changed.
The Constitution has been amended from time to
time.
PREAMBLE
1.0.2 Human happiness is the acme of earthly
ambition. Individual happiness depends upon
general prosperity.
1.0.3 The prosperity of a nation is in proportion to
the value of its production.
1.0.4 The soil is the source from whence we de-
rive all that constitutes wealth; without it we wouldhave no agriculture, no manufacturers, no com-
merce. Of all the material gifts of the Creator, the
various productions of the vegetable world are of
the rst importance. The art of agriculture is the
parent and precursor of all arts, and its products,
the foundation of all wealth.
1.0.5 The productions of the earth are subject to the
inuences of natural laws, invariable and indisput-
able; the amount produced will consequently be in
proportion to the intelligence of the producer, and
success will depend upon his knowledge of the ac-
tion of these laws, and the proper application of
their principles.
1.0.6 Hence, knowledge is the foundation of
happiness.
1.0.7 The ultimate object of this organization is for
mutual instruction and protection, to lighten labor
by diffusing a knowledge of its aims and purpose,
expand the mind by tracing the beautiful laws the
Great Creator has established in the Universe, and
to enlarge our views of creative wisdom and pow-
er.
1.0.8 To those who read aright, history proves that
in all ages society is fragmentary, and success-
ful results of general welfare can be secured only
by general effort. Unity of action cannot be ac-
quired without discipline, and discipline cannot be
enforced without signicant organization; hence
we have a ceremony of initiation which binds us
in mutual fraternity as with a band of iron; but al-though its inuence is so powerful, its application
is as gentle as that of the silken thread that binds a
wreath of owers.
AMENDED CONSTITUTION
1.0.9 At the time of the reorganization of the Na-
tional Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husband-
ry in the city of Washington, District of Columbia,
the place where the rst Constitution of the Orderwas adopted, and pursuant to the provision of Ar-
ticle XIV of the Constitution of 1873, the National
Grange does proclaim the adoption of the following
amended Constitution of this Order of Patrons of
Husbandry, as ratied by the State Granges of the
Order, to be known as the Constitution of 1986.
CONSTITUTION OF 1986
Article I
DIVISIONS OF THE ORDER
1.1.1 The Order of Patrons of Husbandry (herein-
after known as the Order) shall consist of the six
following divisions:
CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Chapter 1
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
11/110
22009 Edition
(A) Junior Granges - (membership Granges) hav-
ing charge of the Junior Degree.
(B) Subordinate Granges - (membership Grang-
es) having charge of the rst Four Degrees as
follows:
First Degree - Laborer (man), Maid (woman).
Second Degree - Cultivator (man), Shepherdess
(woman).
Third Degree - Harvester (man), Gleaner (wom-
an).
Fourth Degree - Husbandman (man), Matron
(woman).
(C) Pomona Granges - (district membership Grang-
es) having charge of the Fifth Degree (Pomona).
(D) State Granges - (state delegate bodies) having
charge of the Sixth Degree (Flora).
(E) National Grange - (a national delegate body)
the controlling and supreme law making body of
the Order, also having charge of the ritual and rega-
lia of the Order (except that of the Seventh Degree)
and the business of the Seventh Degree (Ceres).
(F) Assembly of Demeter- (Seventh degree mem-
bers in good standing in a Subordinate Grange)having charge of the Seventh Degree (Ceres) and
all unwritten work of the Order and the communi-
cation of the annual word.
Article II
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
1.2.1 State Granges of the Order shall have theright and power to establish an associate class of
individual membership.
Article III
ORGANIZATION, REGULATION AND
ADMINISTRATION
1.3.1 The National Grange, as the national repre-
sentative division of the Order, shall be the con-
trolling and supreme law making division of the
Order from which body all the other Granges of the
divisions of the Order shall derive their rights and
powers. The National Grange shall have the right
and power as the good of the Order requires, to
adopt laws for the organization, administration and
regulation of the affairs of the various Granges of
the divisions of the Order including laws limiting,
dening, and regulating the powers of the various
Granges of the divisions of the Order.
1.3.2 Articles of Incorporation - The National
Grange shall have the right and power at its annual
meeting, if a quorum be present, to adopt, amend
or repeal, by two-thirds of the votes cast by del-
egates present and voting at such meeting, the Arti-
cles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the National
Grange, as to the organization, administration and
regulation of the affairs of the various Granges of
the divisions of the Order. These Articles of In-
corporation and By-Laws shall be published in the
Digest of Laws of the Order.
1.3.3 Grange Laws - The National Grange shall
have the right and power at its annual meeting, if a
quorum be present, to adopt, amend or repeal by a
majority of the votes cast by delegates present and
voting at such meeting, any Grange Laws autho-
rized by this Constitution or the Articles of Incor-
poration and By-Laws of the National Grange as to
the organization, administration and regulation of
the affairs of the various Granges of the divisionsof the Order. These Grange Laws shall be codied
and published in the Digest of Laws of the Order.
1.3.4 Ritual, Degrees and Regalia - The National
Grange shall have the right and power at its annual
meeting, if a quorum be present, to adopt, amend or
repeal by a majority of the votes cast by delegates
present and voting at such meeting, laws relating to
Chapter 1: ConstitutionChapter1
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
12/110
3 2009 Edition
ritual or regalia which shall be used in the Degrees
of the various Granges of the divisions of the Or-
der, provided, however, that the Assembly of De-
meter shall be in charge of the ritual and regalia of
the Seventh Degree and the unwritten work of all
Degrees of the Order. These Ritual, Degrees and
Regalia Laws shall be codied and published in the
Digest of Laws of the Order. In all ritual, degrees
and regalia matters the Ritual, Degrees and Regalia
Laws as adopted by the National Grange shall be
the law of the Order, and the various Granges of
the divisions of the Order shall conform thereto.
1.3.5 Judiciary - The National Grange shall have
the right and power at its annual meeting, if a quo-
rum be present, to adopt, amend, or repeal by a
majority of the votes cast by delegates present and
voting at such meeting, laws relating to the judicialfunctions of the various Granges of the divisions
of the Order and the Assembly of Demeter, includ-
ing rules as to the organization, jurisdiction, proce-
dures and powers of the members of the Order as to
these judicial functions. These Judicial Laws shall
be codied and published in the Digest of Laws of
the Order.
These judicial powers are of a dual nature:
(1) Law and Usage - The construction and inter-pretation by means of rulings on the Constitution
of the Order and the Articles of Incorporation, By-
Laws and Grange Laws adopted by the National
Grange and on the By-Laws and Grange Laws ad-
opted by the various Granges of the divisions of the
Order. The regulations for such construction and
interpretation shall be codied and published in the
Digest of Laws of the Order.
In all matters involving the construction and inter-pretation relating to law and usage, rulings made
pursuant to these Judicial Laws, shall be the law of
the Order and the various Granges of the divisions
of the Order shall conform thereto.
(2) Trials - The conduct of trials of any member of
the Order charged with the violation of this Con-
stitution; the Manuals of the Degrees of the Order;
or Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Grange
Laws of the National Grange or the various Granges
in the divisions of the Order. The Rules and Regu-
lations for trials shall be codied and published in
the Digest of Laws of the Order.
1.3.6 Parliamentary - The National Grange shall
have the right and power at its annual meeting, if a
quorum be present, to adopt, amend, or repeal by a
majority of the votes cast by delegates present and
voting at such meeting, laws relating to the par-
liamentary laws governing meetings of the various
Granges of the divisions of the Order.
These Parliamentary Laws shall be codied and
published in the Digest of Laws of the Order. In all
parliamentary law matters, the Parliamentary Laws
as adopted by the National Grange shall be the lawof the Order and the various Granges of Order shall
conform thereto.
Roberts Rules of Order (Revised) is considered
standard authority in this country, and is adopted
as such on all parliamentary matters not included
in the Parliamentary Code.
Article IV
CHARTERS
1.4.1 The National Grange shall issue all Char-
ters for the various Granges of the divisions of the
Order; provided, however, that the procedure for
the issuance of Charters and application fees for
Charters shall be provided for in the By-Laws as
adopted by the National Grange.
1.4.2 All Charters issued to the various Granges ofthe divisions of the Order shall provide that mem-
bers of each Grange at all times will faithfully com-
ply with the Constitution of the Order, the Articles
of Incorporation, By-Laws and Grange Laws and
Usage of the various Granges of the divisions of
the Order as from time to time adopted.
Chapter 1: Constitution
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
13/110
42009 Edition
Article V
INCORPORATION
1.5.1 The various Granges of the divisions of the
Order may incorporate and adopt Articles of Incor-
poration and By-Laws for the organization, admin-
istration and regulation of their affairs, provided
that all such Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
adopted by the various Granges of the divisions of
the Order shall conform to this Constitution and
the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Grange
Laws as adopted by the National Grange.
Article VI
MEMBERSHIP
1.6.1 The qualications for membership; proce-
dure for attaining membership; membership dues;
and the right to vote in each of the Granges of the
divisions of the Order shall be provided for in the
By-Laws of the National Grange.
1.6.2 All candidates for membership and elected
ofcers shall be required to agree at the time of
election to membership or installation in ofce that
at all times they will faithfully comply with theConstitution of the Order, the Articles of Incorpo-
ration, By-Laws and Grange Laws and Usage of
the various Granges of the divisions of the Order
as from time to time adopted.
1.6.3 All members in good standing in each of the
various Granges of the divisions of the Order on
the effective date of the adoption of this Constitu-
tion are automatically elected to membership here-
under in accordance with the degree of member-ship as shown on the rosters of the various Granges
of the divisions of the Order on said date.
Article VII
APPLICATION FEES AND MEMBERSHIP
DUES
1.7.1 Funds for the operation of each of the various
Granges of the divisions of the Order shall be col-
lected as application fees for memberships, mem-
bership dues and income from Grange sponsored
activities.
1.7.2 The By-Laws of the National Grange shall
provide for a minimum amount of such application
fees and membership dues. The collection of such
funds and the apportionment thereof to the various
Granges of the divisions of the Order shall be pro-
vided for in the By-Laws of the National Grange.
1.7.3 The various Granges of the divisions of theOrder, however, are delegated specic power to es-
tablish such additional application fees and mem-
bership dues from time to time as is necessary to
fund their operations.
Article VIII
OFFICERS
1.8.1 The designation, rank, election or appoint-ment, authority and duty of ofcers in each of the
various Granges of the divisions of the Order shall
be provided for in the By-Laws of the National
Grange and in the By-Laws of the various Granges
of the divisions of the Order.
Article IX
SALE, ENCUMBRANCE OR TRANSFER OFREAL AND/OR PERSONAL PROPERTY
1.9.1 When a Grange of any of the divisions of
the Order shall sell, encumber or in any other way
transfer real and/or personal property owned by
such Grange, the proceeds from such sale, encum-
brance or transfer shall be retained by the Order
for use in accordance with the general purposes of
Chapter 1: ConstitutionChapter1
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
14/110
5 2009 Edition
the Order, provided that, the procedures for such
retention shall be provided for in the By-Laws of
the National Grange.
Article X
RETENTION OF REAL AND PERSONAL
PROPERTY FOR USE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE
ORDER
1.10.1 When a Grange (other than the National
Grange) of any of the divisions of the Order shall
surrender its Charter either in consolidation, disso-
lution or abandonment or has its Charter revoked,
the real and personal property of said Grange shall
be retained by the Order for use in accordance withthe general purposes of the Order, provided that,
the procedures for such retention shall be provided
for the in the By-Laws of the National Grange.
Article XI
ACTIVITIES, EARNINGS AND DISTRIBU-
TION OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION OR FI-
NAL LIQUIDATION.
1.11.1 Internal Revenue Service - Activities. The
various Granges of the divisions of the Order shall
not conduct any activity not permitted to be carried
on by an exempt organization described in Section
501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
now in force or as hereinafter amended.
1.11.2 Internal Revenue Service - Earnings. No
part of any net earnings of the various Granges of
the divisions of the Order shall inure to the benetof any ofcer, director or member of the Order, ex-
cept as reasonable compensation for services per-
formed, or be appropriated for any services other
than the purposes as set forth in this Constitution,
and the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of
the National Grange.
1.11.3 Internal Revenue Service - Dissolution
National Grange. On dissolution of the National
Grange the members of the Executive Committee
thereof shall, after paying or making provision for
the payment of all liabilities of the corporation,
dispose of all the net assets of the corporation, by
transferring and paying over the same to a tax ex-
empt, agricultural and/or horticultural organization
which shall be selected by the Executive Commit-
tee, provided that such organization shall qualify as
a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 now in force or
as hereinafter amended.
1.11.4 Internal Revenue Service - Dissolution of
Granges Other Than National Grange.
When a Grange (other than the National Grange)
of any of the divisions of the Order is dissolved or
ceases to function for any reason, the net assets ofthat Grange shall be retained by the Order for use
in accordance with the general purposes of the Or-
der, and activities permitted to be carried on by an
exempt organization described in Section 501(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as now in force
or as hereinafter amended, and provided further
that the procedures for such retention shall be pro-
vided for in the By-laws of the National Grange.
Article XII
RELIGIOUS AND
POLITICAL POLICY
1.12.1 Denominational religious or partisan politi-
cal matters shall not be the subject of discussions in
the work of the Order, and no religious or political
tests for membership shall be applied.
Article XIII
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDER
1.13.1 The fourth day of December, the birthday
of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry shall be cel-
ebrated as the anniversary of the Order.
Chapter 1: Constitution
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
15/110
62009 Edition
Article XIV
AMENDMENTS
1.14.1 This Constitution may be amended, from
time to time; provided, such amendments be ad-
opted by two-thirds vote of the delegates present
and voting at any annual meeting of the National
Grange, and when such amendments shall have
been ratied by two-thirds of the State Granges,
which ratication shall be by a majority vote of the
delegates present and voting at the annual meet-
ing of each State Grange, and the same reported
to the Secretary of the National Grange, and so
proclaimed at the next annual meeting of the Na-
tional Grange, said amendments shall be in full
force, beginning with the rst day of the calendar
year following, and further provided that amend-ments having passed the National Grange at any
annual meeting and failing to secure the two-thirds
ratication of the State Granges before the next an-
nual meeting of the National Grange, shall be de-
clared null and void by the Master of the National
Grange.
Chapter1
Chapter 1: Constitution
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
16/110
7 2009 Edition
PREAMBLE
2.0.0 Profoundly impressed with the truth that the
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Hus-
bandry should proclaim to the world its general
objectives, we hereby unanimously make this Dec-
laration of Purposes:
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
2.1.1 United by the strong and faithful tie of an
agricultural fraternity, yet welcoming all of good
moral character to membership, we mutually re-
solve to labor for the good of our Order, our coun-try, and mankind.
2.1.2 We heartily endorse the motto, In essentials,
unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, char-
ity.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
2.2.1 We shall endeavor to advance our cause by
striving to accomplish the following objectives:
2.2.2 To develop a better and higher manhood and
womanhood among ourselves; to enhance the com-
forts and attractions of our homes; to strengthen
our attachments to our pursuits; to foster mutual
understanding and cooperation; to maintain invio-
late our laws, and to emulate each other in labor, in
order to hasten the good time coming.
2.2.3 We propose meeting together, talking togeth-
er, working together and, in general, acting togeth-
er for our mutual protection and advancement. We
shall constantly strive to secure harmony, good will,
and brotherhood, and to make our Order perpetual.
We shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal,
local, sectional, and national prejudices, all un-
healthy rivalry and all selsh ambition. Faithful
adherence to these principles will ensure our men-
tal, moral, social and material advancement.
BUSINESS RELATIONS
2.3.1 For our business interests we desire to bring
producer and consumer into the most direct and
friendly relations possible, remembering that,
individual happiness depends upon general
prosperity.
2.3.2 We are opposed to such spirit and manage-
ment of any corporation or enterprise which tends
to oppress people. We long to see antagonism be-
tween capital and labor removed by common con-
sent, and by statesmanship worthy of an enlight-
ened people.
2.3.3 We are opposed to wages and salaries that
exceed productive efciency. We recommend that
farmers buy wisely and produce efciently to make
their farms protable; to make the maximum use of
the innovations of science and technology to sys-
tematize their work and to calculate intelligently
on probabilities.
2.3.4 To all we recommend sound money
management that we may avoid insolvency and
bankruptcy.
EDUCATION
2.4.1 We shall advance the cause of education by
all just means within our power.
2.4.2 Inuenced by our strong belief in the institu-
tion of the family, we are convinced that education
begins in the family circle.
2.4.3 Discipline is an essential part of education.
Self-discipline comes with maturity. Until such
time as this level of competency is reached, fami-
lies and schools have a responsibility for enforcing
adequate discipline.
2.4.4 We recognize the necessity of experimenta-
tion to develop new and better methods of educa-
Chapter 2
DECLARATION OF PURPOSES OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF
THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
17/110
82009 Edition
tion, but we caution against the widespread adop-
tion of these innovative and experimental methods
until they have been proven effective.
2.4.5 We recognize that education is a continuing
process. We encourage all to continue their educa-
tion through adult education classes, by continued
reading, observation and such other methods as
may be available, including radio and television.
2.4.6 We recognize the valuable contribution made
to education by the printed word, especially in
newspapers, periodicals and books, and will con-
tinue to advocate their widespread availability.
THE GRANGE, NOT PARTISAN
2.5.1 We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-
repeated truth taught in our Constitutional Law,
that the Grange -- National, State, Pomona or Sub-
ordinate -- is not a partisan or party organization.
2.5.2 The principles we teach underlie all true
statesmanship, and, if properly carried out, will
tend to purify the whole political atmosphere of
our country; for we seek the greatest good to the
greatest number.
2.5.3 We must always bear in mind that no one,
by becoming a Patron of Husbandry, gives up that
inalienable right and duty which belongs to every
American citizen, to take a proper interest in the
politics of ones country.
2.5.4 On the contrary, it is right for every member
to do all in his or her power, legitimately, to inu-
ence for good the action of any political party to
which he or she belongs. It is reserved by every
Patron, as the right of a free citizen to afliate with
any party that will best carry out his or her prin-
ciples.
2.5.5 We acknowledge the broad principle that
difference of opinion is no crime, and hold that
progress toward truth is made by differences of
opinion, while the fault lies in bitterness of con-
troversy.
2.5.6 We desire a proper equality, and fairness; pro-
tection for the weak; restraint upon the strong; in
short, justly distributed power. These are Ameri-
can ideals, the very essence of American indepen-
dence, and to advocate the contrary is unworthy of
the sons and daughters of our Republic.
2.5.7 We cherish the belief that sectionalism is, and
of right should be, dead and buried with the past.
Our work is for the present and the future. In our
agricultural fraternity, we shall recognize no North,
no South, no East, no West.
OUTSIDE COOPERATION
2.6.1 Our Fraternity, being agriculturally based,
family oriented and dedicated to the pure princi-ples of equality under Constitutional Law, we ap-
peal to all good citizens for mutual cooperation and
assistance toward reform that we may remove from
our midst the last vestige of inequity and corrup-
tion. We believe that harmony, equitable compro-
mise and earnest cooperation are essential to future
success.
CONCLUSION
2.7.1 It shall be an abiding principle with us to re-
lieve any of our oppressed and suffering members
by any reasonable means at our command.
2.7.2 We proclaim it among our purposes to con-
tinue our historical appreciation of the abilities and
equality of women.
2.7.3 Imploring the continued assistance of our
Divine Master to guide us in our work, we pledge
ourselves to faithful and harmonious labor for all
future time; to advance by our united efforts, to the
wisdom, justice, fraternity and political purity so
earnestly sought by the wise and courageous men
and women who founded our noble Order.
Chapter 2: Declaration of Purposes
Chap
ter2
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
18/110
9 2009 Edition
TO:
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
BUSINESS REGULATION ADMINISTRATION
CORPORATIONS DIVISION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
3.0.0 We the undersigned natural persons of the
age of twenty-one (21) years or more, acting as
incorporators of a corporation, adopt the follow-
ing Articles of Incorporation for such corporation
pursuant to the District of Columbia Non-Prot
Corporation Act, Chapter 5, Title 29 District of
Columbia Code.
3.1.0 FIRST: The name of the corporation is Na-
tional Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husband-
ry.
3.2.0 SECOND: The period of duration is perpet-
ual.
3.3.0 THIRD: The object of the corporation hereby
organized is the promotion of agricultural and oth-
er kindred pursuits by inducing cooperation among
farmers and those alike interested for their mutualbenet and improvement, and to this end to act as
the controlling body of the Order known as The
Order of Patrons of Husbandry.
3.4.0 FOURTH: The corporation is a delegate body
to which membership is available to individuals
who are Fourth Degree Members of the Order in
good standing as dened in the By-Laws and have
received the Seventh Degree of the Order.
3.5.0 FIFTH: The membership of the corporation
shall be composed of two classes of members, vot-
ing and non-voting, who are Fourth Degree Mem-
bers of the Order in good standing as dened in the
By-Laws and have received the Seventh Degree of
the Order.
3.6.0 SIXTH: The manner of election or appoint-
ment of the directors of the corporation shall be
provided for in the By-Laws.
3.7.0 SEVENTH: Provisions for the regulation of
the internal affairs of the corporation, including
provision for the distribution of assets on dissolu-
tion or nal liquidation shall be provided for in the
Constitution of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
and the By-Laws of the National Grange of the Or-
der of Patrons of Husbandry.
3.8.0 EIGHT: The address, including street num-
ber, of the initial registered ofce of the corpora-
tion is 1920 N. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20036, and the name if its initial registered agentat such address is Charles L. Freed. The address
including street and number, in the District of Co-
lumbia where the corporation conducts its princi-
pal business is 1616 H Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20006.
3.9.0 NINTH: The number of members constitut-
ing the initial Board of Directors is six (6), and the
names and addresses, including street and number,
of the person who are to serve as the initial Mem-
bers until the rst annual meeting or until their suc-cessors be elected and qualify are:
Edward Andersen
1616 H. Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Kermit W. Richardson
RD 2
Barre, VT 05641
Lester Wallace
Rt. 1
Beloit, WI 53511
Edward F. Moody
16851 W. 183rd
Olathe, KS 66062
Chapter 3
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF
THE ORDER OFPATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
19/110
102009 Edition
Jack Silvers
Rt. 1 Box 1115
Zillah, WA 98953
Charles E. Wismer Jr.
1604 N. 2nd Street.
Harrisburg, PA 17102
3.10.0 TENTH: The name and the address, includ-
ing street and number, of each incorporator is:
Edward Andersen
1616 H. Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Kermit W. Richardson
RD 2
Barre, VT 05641
Lester Wallace
Rt. 1
Beloit, WI 53511
Edward F. Moody
16851 W. 183rd
Olathe, KS 66062
Jack Silvers
Rt. 1 Box 1115Zillah, WA 98953
Charles E. Wismer Jr.
1604 N. 2nd Street.
Harrisburg, PA 17102
/s/ Edward Anderson
/s/ Kermit W. Richardson
/s/ Lester Wallace
/s/ Edward F. Moody
/s/ Jack Silvers
/s/ Charles E. Wismer, Jr.
STATE OF WISCONSIN )
) ss:
COUNTY OF DANE )
I, Pearl B. Friedley, a notary public in and for the
County of Dane, hereby certify that on the 17th day
of September, 1986, personally appeared before
me Edward Andersen, Edward F. Moody, Kermit
W. Richardson, Jack Silvers, Lester Wallace, and
Charles E. Wismer, Jr., who being by me rst duly
sworn, declare that they signed the foregoing doc-
ument as incorporators, and that their statements
therein contained are true.
/s/ Pearl B. Friedley
Notary Public
My commission expires: April 1, 1990
Chapter 3: Articles of Incorporation
Chapter3
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
20/110
11 2009 Edition
Article I
CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLES OF IN-
CORPORATION
4.1.1 Constitution - The Constitution of the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry, (hereinafter referred to as
Order) effective as of January 1, 1987, is the su-
preme law of the Order and shall be determinative
of the rights and duties of the various Granges of
the divisions of the Order and members thereof as
provided in these By-Laws. All reference in these
By-Laws to the Constitution of the Order shall be
construed to mean said Constitution as from time
to time amended.
4.1.2 Articles of Incorporation - The Articles of
Incorporation of the National Grange, a division of
the Order incorporated in the District of Columbia
(hereinafter referred to as National Grange), ef-
fective as of October 29, 1986 are determinative of
the rights and duties of the National Grange and the
members thereof. All references in these By-Laws
to the Articles of Incorporation of the National
Grange shall be construed to mean said Articles of
Incorporation as from time to time amended. Thename and purposes of the corporation shall be as
set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
Article II
OFFICES AND SEAL
4.2.1 Principal Ofce - The principal ofce of the
National Grange shall be located at 1616 H Street,N.W. in Washington, D.C.
4.2.2 Other Ofces - The National Grange may also
maintain an ofce in such other place or places as
the Executive Committee of the National Grange
may from time to time designate, or as the business
of the corporation may require.
4.2.3 Seal - The corporate seal shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its
organization and the words Corporate Seal, Dis-
trict of Columbia.
Article III
CHARTERS
4.3.1 Issuance of Charters - All Charters for the
various Granges of the divisions of the Order shall
be issued only by the National Grange. All ap-
plications for Charters shall be led with the Sec-
retary of the National Grange. Charter membersof Granges are those members whose names are
included in the application for organization and
whose fees were paid at the time of organization.
4.3.2 Charters - Junior, Subordinate and Pomona
Granges - Junior, Subordinate and Pomona Grang-
es shall be organized by Charter in those States
where a State Grange has been organized by Char-
ter under the following procedure:
(A) The application for a Charter must be approvedby the Master of the State Grange having jurisdic-
tion before it is led with the Secretary of the Na-
tional Grange.
(B) When the Master of the National Grange de-
termines that the organization of a Junior, Subor-
dinate or Pomona Grange is completed, the Master
shall direct the Secretary of the National Grange to
issue a charter on behalf of the National Grange for
such Junior, Subordinate or Pomona Grange.
(C) When the Charter is issued by the National
Grange, it shall be signed by the Master and Sec-
retary of the State Grange having jurisdiction and
the Seal of said State Grange shall be afxed to the
Charter.
4.3.3 Charters - State Granges - State Granges shall
Chapter 4
BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF
THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
21/110
122009 Edition
be organized by Charter in a State under the fol-
lowing procedure:
(A) Six or more active Subordinate Granges work-
ing in a State may apply to the Secretary of the
National Grange for authority to organize a State
Grange.
(B) When the Master of the National Grange de-
termines that the organization of a State Grange is
completed, the Master shall direct the Secretary of
the National Grange to issue a Charter on behalf of
the National Grange for such State Grange.
4.3.4 Charters - Junior, Subordinate and Pomona
Granges - Junior, Subordinate and Pomona Grang-
es may be organized by a Charter in States in which
no State Grange shall have been organized.
4.3.5 Applications for Charters by Junior, Subordi-
nate and Pomona Granges -
(A) Junior Granges - Application for a Charter for
a Junior Grange shall be signed by the persons ap-
plying for the same, and be accompanied by a fee
of ten dollars ($10.00).
A Junior Grange may be organized or reorganized
by thirteen or more members, of whom there shallbe not less than four of either sex; except that a
Master of a State Grange may, for the good of the
Order, authorize the organization or reorganization
of a Junior Grange with not less than seven mem-
bers of whom there shall not be less than two of
either sex.
(B) Subordinate Granges - Application for a Char-
ter for a Subordinate Grange shall be signed by the
persons applying for the same, and be accompa-nied by a fee of twenty-ve dollars ($25.00).
A Subordinate Grange may be organized or reorga-
nized by thirteen or more persons, of which there
shall not be less than four of either sex.
(C) Pomona Granges - Application for a Charter
for a Pomona Grange shall be signed by the per-
sons applying for the same, and be accompanied by
a fee of ve dollars ($5.00).
A Pomona Grange may be organized or reorganized
by thirteen or more members, of whom there shall
be not less than four of either sex, and who shall all
be Fourth Degree members in good standing in the
Subordinate Granges in the geographic area where
the Grange is to be organized. The geographic area
shall be as determined from time to time by the
State Grange having jurisdiction.
4.3.6 Reorganization of Junior, Subordinate and
Pomona Granges With Less Than Thirteen Mem-
bers - It shall be the duty of the Master of the State
Grange having jurisdiction or a duly authorized
Deputy to make every effort to reorganize Granges
whose membership declines below thirteen mem-bers. Such Master or Deputies are authorized to
include in such reorganization the remaining mem-
bers in good standing of the Inactive Grange; other
members in good standing within the jurisdiction
of the Inactive Grange, and candidates for mem-
bership in the Inactive Grange.
4.3.7 Applications for Charters by State Granges
- Application for a Charter for a State Grange shall
be signed by the persons applying for the same, and
be accompanied by a fee of fty dollars ($50.00)..
4.3.8 Organization or Reorganization of State
Granges - It shall be the duty of the Master of the
National Grange with the advice and consent of the
Executive Committee of the National Grange, to
make every effort to organize six active Subordi-
nate Granges in every state so that a State Grange
may be chartered.
Article IV
CONSOLIDATION OF SUBORDINATE
GRANGES
4.4.1 Consolidation Procedure - Two or more
Subordinate Granges may be consolidated provid-
ed that:
Chapter 4: By-Laws
Chapter4
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
22/110
13 2009 Edition
(A) Consolidating Granges shall send a written no-
tice to the Master and Executive Committee of the
State Grange having jurisdiction of the intent to in-
voke the procedure to consolidate included in this
Article IV.
Such notice shall contain a summary of the reasons
for the proposed consolidation including, a propos-
al for the disposition of the assets of the dissolv-
ing Granges. This proposal shall contain the latest
available report as to the net assets of the dissolv-
ing Grange, including, if available, an appraisal of
the value and a statement as to the current use and
condition of any real and/or personal property in-
cluded in the said assets.
(B) Consolidating Granges shall obtain written ap-
proval to consolidate, including approval of theproposal for disposition of the assets of dissolving
Granges, from the Master of the State Grange hav-
ing jurisdiction, with the advice and consent of the
Executive Committee of said State Grange.
(C) Consolidating Granges shall mail a notice of
the intent to consolidate to all members of each
Grange subject to the consolidation at the members
last recorded address at least thirty days prior to
any meeting at which a vote to consolidate is to be
considered.
(D) Nothing herein contained shall be construed to
authorize the surrender of the charter of a Grange
in which thirteen persons, of whom there shall not
be less that four of either sex, shall desire to con-
tinue the operation thereof.
4.4.2 Consolidation Options - Consolidating
Granges shall have the following options to con-
solidate, which shall be determined by majorityvote, of the members present and voting, of each
Grange applying for consolidation.
(A) One or more Granges to surrender their char-
ters with the surviving Grange retaining its name
and number and receiving all the members of the
consolidating Grange or Granges, or,
(B) All consolidating Granges to surrender their
charters and the members of said Granges becom-
ing members of a newly chartered Grange with a
new name, provided, however, that the number of
the newly chartered Grange shall be the number of
one of the consolidating Granges. The procedure
for adopting a new name shall be provided for in
the Subordinate Code of the Digest of Laws of the
Order (6.1.12).
4.4.3 Disposition of Assets of Dissolving Granges-
(A) Disposition Using Proposal Options
(1) Personal Property - Personal property owned
by Granges which surrender their Charter in a
consolidation may be transferred to the surviv-
ing Grange of the consolidation or transferredto other Granges, either in whole or in part, for
uses in accordance with the general purposes of
the Order.
(2) Real property owned by Granges which sur-
render their charter in a consolidation:
(a) May be sold by the dissolving Granges
and the proceeds there from be transferred to
the surviving Grange of the consolidation or
transferred to other Granges as part of a plan
for the distribution of funds submitted to theState Grange Executive Committee having
jurisdiction, for uses in accordance with the
general purposes of the Order as established
in Article XI, Section 4.11.1 of the By-Laws.
(b) May be included in the proposal for trans-
fer to the surviving Grange.
(B) Disposition in Absence of Proposal Options
(1) Personal Property - If the dissolving Grangesfail to make a determination as to the disposition
of personal property then, in that event, the Mas-
ter of the State Grange having jurisdiction, with
the advice and consent of the Executive Com-
mittee of said State Grange, shall determine the
disposition of the said personal property for uses
in accordance with the general purposes of the
Order.
Chapter 4: By-Laws
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
23/110
142009 Edition
(2) Real Property - If the consolidating Granges
fail to submit a proposal which includes the sale
of real property owned by the dissolving Grang-
es, then, in that event, the said real property shall
revert to the State Grange having jurisdiction
and the Master with the advice and consent of
the Executive Committee of said Grange shall
determine the disposition of said real property
for uses in accordance with the general purposes
of the Order.
4.4.4 Consolidation Report - A report of the ap-
proval of consolidation and disposition of assets,
duly authenticated, must be transmitted by the
Master and Executive Committee to the Secretary
of the State Grange, and the surrendered charter(s)
shall be returned to the State Grange.
4.4.5 Powers of the National Grange When No
State Grange Has Jurisdiction - It is specically
provided that when the consolidation provisions
included in this Article IV of the By-Laws are in-
voked in States for which the records of the Na-
tional Grange show there is no State Grange having
jurisdiction over the consolidating Granges, then,
in that event, the National Grange is delegated the
powers of the State Grange in this Article IV of the
By-Laws.
Article V
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF
CHARTERS(Junior, Subordinate and Pomona Granges)
4.5.1 Criteria - When the following circumstanc-
es exist as to any Junior, Subordinate, or Pomona
Granges over which a State Grange has jurisdic-
tion, it shall be the duty of the Master of said State
Grange to suspend or revoke the Charter of such
Granges, if it is the determination of the Master
that the good of the Order requires such action.
(A) Charter has been issued to a Grange, contrary
to the laws and usages of the Order,
(B) A Grange working in violation of the law and
usages of the Order,
(C) A Grange is in arrears for dues for one or more
quarters,
(D) A Grange refuses or is unable to hold meetings,
as provided for in Article IX of these By-Laws,
(E)Attempts to restore a Grange which has become
inactive to an active status prove unsuccessful,
(F) The membership of a Grange is reduced belowthe organization requirement of thirteen, except
when a reorganization is in process as provided for
in Article III above.
(G) If a charter is suspended for reason of being in
arrears for dues, the suspension shall automatically
be lifted when the arrears are paid by said Grange.
4.5.2 Report - If a Master of a State Grange sus-
pends or revokes a Charter said Master shall report
such action to the Master of the National Grangealong with the reasons of the Master for taking
such action.
4.5.3 Appeal - Junior, Subordinate or Pomona
Granges whose Charters are suspended or revoked
may appeal such action to the Master of the Na-
tional Grange pursuant to Section 12.1.5 of the
Code of Judicial Law as adopted by the National
Grange.
4.5.4 Disposition of Assets - As soon as pos-
sible after the nal determination of revocation of
a Charter the affected Junior Grange shall proceed
to discharge any and all of its nancial obliga-
tions. All the remaining assets owned by such Ju-
nior Grange shall be turned over to the sponsoring
Grange having jurisdiction; all remaining assets
owned by such Subordinate or Pomona Grange
Chapter 4: By-Laws
Chapter4
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
24/110
15 2009 Edition
shall be transferred or place in trust as provided for
in Article XII of these By-Laws.
4.5.5 Disposition of Charter - The Charter of
the Junior, Subordinate or Pomona Grange which
has been revoked must be surrendered to the State
Grange.
4.5.6 Disposition of Members - After the nal
determination of revocation of Charter, when in the
opinion of the Master of the State Grange it would
best serve the interest of the Grange as a whole, the
membership of said Grange may be:
(1) Issued individual demits signed by State Master
and Secretary or
(2) Transferred as a whole to a nearby Grangewho has voted to accept the membership of said
Grange.
(State Granges)
4.5.7 Criteria - Whenever the number of active
Subordinate Granges in a State Grange is reduced
below six, it shall be the duty of the Master of the
National Grange to suspend or revoke the Charter
of the State Grange having jurisdiction over said
Subordinate Granges.
4.5.8 Appeal - State Granges whose Charters are
suspended or revoked may appeal such action pur-
suant to the Code of Judicial Law as adopted by the
National Grange.
4.5.9 Disposition of Assets - As soon as pos-
sible after the nal determination of revocation of
a Charter, the affected State Grange shall proceed
to discharge any and all of its nancial obligations.All remaining assets owned by such State Grange
shall be placed in trust as provided for in Article
XII of these By-Laws.
(Denitions)
4.5.10 Suspension - The remedy of a suspension
of a charter is intended to be used when in the
judgment of the Master of the Grange having ju-
risdiction, the deciencies in these criteria may be
remedied in a reasonable time. The duration and
conditions of a Suspension Order shall be estab-
lished by the said Master taking such action with
the advice and consent of the Executive Committee
of said Masters Grange.
4.5.11 Revocation - The remedy of revocation of
a Charter is intended to be used when in the judg-
ment of the Master of the Grange having jurisdic-
tion, the deciencies in the criteria are incapable of
being remedied or may not be remedied within a
reasonable time.
Article VI
MEMBERSHIP
4.6.1 Junior Granges - Any person over ve years
and under fourteen years of age may be proposed
as a candidate for membership and elected a mem-
ber of a Junior Grange as follows:
(A) Submit an application to a Junior Grange ac-
companied by the prescribed application fee.
(B) Recommendation for candidacy for member-ship by two members of said Junior Grange.
(C) Election to Junior Grange membership shall
be made by paper ballot (yes for acceptance, no for
rejection) at a regular meeting at which a quorum is
present, and elections thereby be made by majority
of paper ballots cast.
(D) Full membership in a Junior Grange is attained
by candidates upon the conferral of the Junior De-gree of the Order or the Ofcial Junior Grange Ob-
ligation Ceremony.
(E) Junior Grange Membership shall terminate
at the end of the Grange year in which the Junior
member reaches age 14.
Chapter 4: By-Laws
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
25/110
162009 Edition
4.6.2 Junior Grange Honorary Membership -
Honorary membership in a Junior Grange may be
obtained by Subordinate Grange members and by
parents of Junior Grange members by paying the
required fee and receiving the proper instructions;
also, Junior Grange members upon reaching 14
years of age and paying the applicable membership
dues may become Honorary Junior Grange Mem-
bers.
4.6.3 Junior Grange Afliate Membership - A
Junior Grange member may not be a member of
more than one Junior Grange at the same time ex-
cept that a Junior Grange member may be elected
to membership in one additional Junior Grange as
an afliate member. A proposal for afliate mem-
bership and election thereto shall be the same as
provided in 4.6.1 above except election to mem-bership shall be by majority vote by paper ballot.
Such afliate member shall pay the applicable
membership dues and be entitled to hold ofce and
vote in the additional Junior Grange, provided that
afliate members are clearly designated as such in
reports to the Secretaries of State Granges and the
National Grange and further provided such afli-
ate members shall not hold the same ofce in two
Junior Granges at the same time.
4.6.4 Subordinate Granges Individual Mem-bership A person fourteen years of age (thirteen
years and six months) or more, with an interest in
the purposes of the Order may be proposed as a
candidate and be elected to membership in a Sub-
ordinate Grange as follows:
(A) Submit an application to a Subordinate Grange
accompanied by the prescribed application fee.
(B)The application for membership shall be spon-sored by and signed by one member of the said
Subordinate Grange.
(C) Agreement as certied by the applicants sig-
nature on the application for membership, that if
elected to membership, the candidate at all times
will faithfully comply with the Constitution of the
Order, the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and
Grange Laws and usage of the various Granges
of the divisions of the Order as from time to time
amended.
(D) At such time as an individual qualies for the
family membership classication, the status of the
member shall be changed to family membership
with no interruption of continuous membership sta-
tus. The same provision is true when a member no
longer qualies for a family membership status.
(E) Election to membership shall be made by paper
ballot (Yes for acceptance No for rejection) at
a regular meeting at which a quorum is present and
election to membership will thereby be made by a
majority of the paper ballots cast, or the conven-
tional method of ballot box using balls and cubes,
subject to approval of State Master.
(F) It is specically provided, however, that a State
Grange may authorize:
(1) Collective balloting as follows:
(a) In classes of two or more candidates the
rst ballot shall be cast for the group as a
whole.
(b) In the event the class receives less than a
majority of votes, the ballot must be taken on
each candidate separately.
(2) Election of prospective members where
there is no signed application accompanied by
the prescribed fee, if there is compliance with
all membership requirements prior to the appli-
cants participation in the Ofcial Welcoming
Ceremony, the Ofcial Obligation Ceremony,
or the conferral of the First of the Four Degrees
upon the candidate.
(G) Full membership in the Subordinate Grange isattained with the approval of the application and
the candidates participation in the Ofcial Wel-
coming Ceremony, the Ofcial Obligation Cer-
emony, or the conferral of the Four Degrees upon
the candidate.
4.6.5 Subordinate Granges Family Membership
A family whose members are fourteen years of
Chapter 4: By-Laws
Chapter4
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
26/110
17 2009 Edition
age (thirteen years and six months or more) with
an interest in the purposes of the Order may be pro-
posed as candidates and elected to membership in a
Subordinate Grange as follows:
(A) The process of election to membership and be-
coming a full member for all members of the fam-
ily shall be the same as for an individual.
(B) A family shall consist of a husband and wife
and their dependents, or a single person and their
dependents. Dependents are dened as children,
grandchildren or great-grandchildren under the age
of 23, who live as a member of the same household
or in absence due to illness, education or military
service. Foster adopted or step children and other
legal dependents shall be considered part of their
legal guardians family.
(C) At such time as a member no longer qualies
as a dependent or becomes a single member the
status of the member shall be as an individual with
no interruption of their membership.
4.6.6 Subordinate Grange Afliate Membership -
A Fourth Degree member may not be a member
of more than one Subordinate Grange at the same
time except that Fourth Degree members may be
elected to membership in one additional Subordi-nate Grange as an Afliate Member. A proposal for
Afliate membership and election thereto shall be
the same as provided in Section 4.6.4 above except
election to membership shall be by majority vote
by paper ballot. Such Afliate Member shall pay
the applicable membership dues and be entitled to
hold ofce and vote in the additional Subordinate
Grange, provided that Afliate Members are clear-
ly designated as such in reports to the Secretaries
of State Granges and the National Grange, and fur-ther provided such Afliate members shall not hold
the same ofce in two Subordinate Granges at the
same time.
Subordinate Grange Afliate Members are eligible
to hold ofce in State Granges and participate in
contests sponsored by the National Grange. Nei-
ther of these two benets of the Order may be ex-
ercised by such Afliate Members in more than
one Subordinate Grange, State Grange at the same
time.
4.6.7 Pomona Granges - A Fourth Degree member
in good standing may be elected to membership in
a Pomona Grange as follows:
(A) Submit an application to the Pomona Grange
in a form as prescribed by the State Grange having
jurisdiction, accompanied by the prescribed appli-
cation fee.
(B) Election by a majority vote, by the voting sign
of the Order, of the members of a Pomona Grange
at which a quorum is present.
(C) Notwithstanding the above procedure, appli-
cants for membership in a Pomona Grange maybe elected under such other rules and regulations
as may be prescribed by the State Grange having
jurisdiction provided such rules and regulations do
not conict with the Constitution of the Order, the
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Na-
tional Grange.
(D) A duly elected applicant shall be entitled to the
degree of Pomona and membership in a Pomona
Grange, provided, however, a Fourth Degree mem-
ber in good standing may receive the Degree of Po-mona from State Granges having jurisdiction, when
so provided in their By-Laws. Such State Granges
shall provide for the application procedures and
collection of the applicable membership fee.
(E) A duly elected applicant may become a Fifth
Degree member and eligible to participate in all the
benets of the degree by use of the Ofcial Fifth
Degree Obligation Ceremony when authorized by
the State Grange at its annual meeting and withspecial permission granted by the State Master.
4.6.8 Pomona Grange Afliate Membership - A
Fifth Degree member may not be a member of
more than one Pomona Grange at the same time
except that a member of a Pomona Grange may be
elected to membership in one additional Pomona
Grange as an Afliate Member. A proposal for af-
Chapter 4: By-Laws
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
27/110
182009 Edition
liate membership and election thereto shall be the
same as provided in Section 4.6.6 above. Such Af-
liate members shall pay the applicable member-
ship dues to, and be entitled to hold ofce and vote
in, the additional Pomona Grange provided that
Afliate members shall be clearly designated as
such in reports to secretaries of State Granges and
further provided that such Afliate Members shall
not hold the same ofce in two Pomona Granges.
Pomona Grange Afliate Members are eligible to
hold ofce in State Granges and participate in con-
tests sponsored by the National Grange, neither of
these two benets of the Order may be exercised
by such Afliate Members in more than one Po-
mona Grange, State Grange at the same time.
4.6.9 State Granges - State Granges are delegate
bodies and shall be composed of two classes ofmembers who are Fourth Degree members in good
standing, namely:
(A) Voting Members (Delegates) - Masters or alter-
nates and their spouses, of active Subordinate and
Pomona Granges within the jurisdiction of a State
Grange shall be delegates to the Annual Meeting
of a State Grange with the right to vote unless
otherwise provided for in the By-Laws of a State
Grange.
(B) Non-Voting Members - All Fourth Degree
members in good standing of active Subordinate
Granges who have received the Sixth Degree and
are within the jurisdiction of a State Grange shall
be non-voting members of such State Grange.
4.6.10 National Grange - The National Grange is a
delegate body and shall be composed of two class-
es of members who are Fourth Degree members
in good standing and have received the Degree ofCeres, namely:
(A) Voting Members (Delegates) - The following
shall be voting members of the National Grange:
Masters or alternates of active State Granges shall
be delegates to the National Grange with the right
to vote.
Their spouses, shall be delegates to the National
Grange with the right to vote, if the State Grange
has fteen or more active Subordinate Granges.
A second approved delegate to accompany the
State Grange Master or alternate to the National
Convention, if the State Grange has fteen or more
active Subordinate Granges.
(a) If an additional hotel room is required for the
appointed delegate from a State Grange at the
National Convention, said State Grange will be
responsible for the extra room costs.
(B) Non-Voting Members (Honorary) - The follow-
ing shall be non-voting members of the National
Grange:
(1) Past Masters of State Granges and theirspouses, who have served as delegates to the
National Grange.
(2) Ofcers of the National Grange and their
spouses, who are not Delegate Members.
(3) The spouse of a State Master with six to
fourteen active Subordinates Granges.
Non-voting members, except those in category
(B)(1) above, may serve on committees; and all
non-voting members may, without objection, speak
to questions on the oor at meetings of the NationalGrange.
4.6.11 Assembly of Demeter - The Assembly of
Demeter is composed of all members of the Order
who have received the Seventh Degree and who
are Fourth Degree members in good standing.
4.6.12 Associate Members - A person or business
with an interest in the advancement of agriculture
and improvement of rural life may become an As-sociate Member. The qualications and procedures
for attaining Associate Membership shall be pro-
vided for in the By-Laws of the State Granges hav-
ing jurisdiction.
Such Associate Members shall pay dues as pre-
scribed in 4.8.2 (E), and be entitled to receive State
Grange information publications and participate in
Chapter 4: By-Laws
Chapter4
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
28/110
19 2009 Edition
State Grange services as provided for by the State
Grange having jurisdiction; provided, however,
that Associate Members shall not be entitled to at-
tend regular Grange meetings, vote on matters of
Grange policy or participate in National Grange
sponsored contests that are designed for Grange
Members only.
4.6.13 Supportive Members: Membership in the
National Grange and in a State Grange as a Sup-
portive Member may be attained by individu-
als who may have an interest in the advancement
of agriculture and improvement of the rural life.
Membership is gained and may continue during
the existence of a contractual agreement between
the National Grange and a business entity which is
providing a product or a service to that Supportive
Member. Membership may be terminated at thepleasure of the National Grange. The Supportive
Member is deemed to be a Supportive Member of
the State Grange in which the Supportive Member
resides or does business as shown on the product/
service relationship documents.
A Supportive Member will receive benets deter-
mined by the National Grange and the Members
State Grange. A Supportive Member shall not be
entitled to attend regular Grange meetings, vote on
matters of Grange policy or participate in NationalGrange sponsored contests that are designed for
Grange Members only.
4.6.14 Suspension or Termination of Membership
in a Subordinate or Pomona Grange - Membership
in a Subordinate Grange of the Order may be sus-
pended or terminated as a result of any of the fol-
lowing occurrences:
(a) Demit: A demit is a certicate issued by the
Secretary of a Grange and countersigned by
the Master of said Grange which disassociates
a member from a Grange, leaving such person
still a member of the Order, eligible to afliate
with another Grange under the Subordinate or
Pomona Code rules providing for the admit-
tance of demitted members. The Subordinate
Code shall provide for demit procedure.
(b) Non-Payment of dues for one quarter. The
Subordinate or Pomona Code shall provide for
suspension procedure.
(c) A members written request to be dropped
from the membership rolls.
(d)A guilty nding of a State or National Grange
Trial Court for a violation of the Manuals of the
degrees of the Order or the By-Laws and Laws
of the National Grange, and the By-Laws and
Laws of the other Granges of the divisions of
the Order, which is not reversed on appeal, or
(e) Conviction of a felony under Federal or State
Laws, which is not reversed on appeal.
(1) In any case where a member of a Subordinate
Grange of the Order is convicted of a felony un-
der federal or state laws, which is not reversed on
appeal, the Master of the said Subordinate Grange
shall, upon receiving such knowledge, appoint a
committee to investigate the matter. If the Com-mittee recommends termination of membership,
the said Subordinate Grange may ratify the recom-
mendation at a regular meeting where there is a
quorum providing:
(a) A notice has been sent to the membership
thirty (30) days prior to the meeting stating that
consideration of the termination of membership
will be voted upon at that meeting, and
(b) Two-thirds of the members present and vot-
ing agree to the termination of membership.
(2) If the Subordinate Grange raties termination
of membership the following procedures shall be
followed by the Master of said Grange:
(a) Notication to the member of this action of
termination,
(b) Notication to the Secretary of the said Sub-
ordinate Grange who shall remove the terminat-
ed members name from the membership roll,
and
(c) Notication to all applicable Granges of the
division of the Order of the termination of the
member.
4.6.15 Non-Discrimination - The various Granges
of the divisions for the Order shall not discriminate
with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual
orientation or national origin.
Chapter 4: By-Laws
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
29/110
202009 Edition
Article VII
VOTING
4.7.1 Voting Rights of Grange Members or Del-
egates - Each member or Delegate shall have one
vote on each question or matter. All questions and
business at every meeting of a Grange, Executive
Committee or Special or Standing Committee at
which a quorum is present, shall be determined by
a majority vote of members or Delegates present
and voting at such meeting unless a different vote
on any specic matter is required by state or feder-
al law; or the Constitution of the Order and the Ar-
ticles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Grange Laws
as adopted by the National Grange or By-Laws and
Grange Laws of various Granges of the divisions
of the Order.
4.7.2 Proxy Voting shall never be in order by any of
the Granges in the various divisions of the Order.
4.7.3 Voting Rights of Master - In Junior, Subordi-
nate or Pomona Granges the Master may vote as oth-
er members when a vote is taken by ballot or when
there is a request for a yea and nay roll call vote.
The Master of a State Grange has no vote except in
case of a tie vote, unless said Master is also a vot-ing delegate to the State Grange
The Master of the National Grange has no vote,
except in the case of a tie vote, unless said Master
is also a voting delegate of a State Grange.
4.7.4 Voting Rights of Members of the Assembly
of Demeter - Only those members of the Assem-
bly of Demeter who are ofcers of the Assembly,
Past Masters of State Granges and their spouses,and the voting members of the National Grange
who have received the Degree of Ceres are en-
titled to vote.
4.7.5 Voting in Elections - In all elections the vot-
ing must be done by ballot, and a majority of all the
ballots cast shall decide the election.
Article VIII
FUNDS
4.8.1 Application Fees for Memberships - The
various Granges of the divisions of the Order may
assess application fees in addition to the minimum
fees from time to time as necessary to fund their
activities. The application fees provided for below
must be paid in full before the conferral of the vari-
ous degrees of the Order:
(A) Junior Granges - The minimum application fee
for active and honorary membership in a Junior
Grange shall be one dollar ($1.00).
(B) Subordinate Granges - The minimum applica-
tion fee for membership in a Subordinate Grangeshall be three dollars ($3.00) for individual and
six dollars ($6.00) for a family, except that a State
Grange may reduce the fee for Junior Grange
members who are graduating into a Subordinate
Grange, which shall be paid to the said Subordi-
nate Grange.
(C) Pomona Granges - The minimum application
fee for membership in a Pomona Grange shall be
one dollar ($1.00) which shall be paid as provided
for in the By-Laws of the State Grange having ju-risdiction.
(D)State Granges - The minimum application fee for
membership in a State Grange shall be ve dollars
($5.00) of which two dollars and fty cents ($2.50)
shall be paid to the National Grange and two dollars
and fty cents ($2.50) shall be paid to the said State
Grange. At the option of a State Grange, additional
application fees may be assessed, which additional
fees shall be paid to the said State Grange. Theminimum application fee for Associate Member-
ship in the Subordinate Grange shall be ve dollars
($5.00), except that no additional application fee
shall be assessed for an Associate Member becom-
ing an Initiated Member.
(E) National Grange - The application fee for mem-
bership in the National Grange shall be twenty dol-
Chapter 4: By-Laws
Chapter4
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
30/110
21 2009 Edition
lars ($20.00) which shall be paid to the National
Grange.
4.8.2 Membership Dues - The various Granges of
the divisions of the Order may assess membership
dues in addition to the minimum dues from time
to time as necessary to fund their activities. Mini-
mum membership dues for each of the Granges of
the divisions of the Order are as follows:
(A) Junior Granges - The minimum annual dues
for active and honorary members of Junior Grang-
es shall be one dollar ($1.00), payable in advance,
provided however, that the State Grange which has
jurisdiction over such Junior Grange may increase
dues for members as may be necessary for the good
of the Order, and may establish an optional one-
time only dues payment of $9.00 for active mem-bers of the Junior Grange, payable upon acceptance
for membership by the local Junior Grange.
(B) Subordinate Granges - The minimum annual
dues for members of a Subordinate Grange shall
be eight dollars ($8.00) for individuals and sixteen
dollars ($16.00) for a family, payable in advance.
The State Grange which has jurisdiction over such
Subordinate Grange, may establish the total dues
payable by Subordinate Granges to State Granges.
(C) Pomona Granges - The minimum annual dues
for members of a Pomona Grange shall be estab-
lished by the State Grange which has jurisdiction
over such Pomona Grange. A State Grange may
provide that dues of members of Pomona Granges
be collected by the Subordinate Grange in which a
Pomona Grange member is also a member.
(D) State Granges - A State Grange may establish
that part of the annual dues paid by members of Ju-nior, Subordinate and Pomona Granges which shall
be paid as dues to the said State Grange.
(E) Associate Members - The State Grange hav-
ing jurisdiction may establish the amount of As-
sociate Member annual dues and the allocation of
such dues to the affected Subordinate, Pomona, or
State Grange; provided, however, that such annual
dues shall be no less than $10.00 nor more than
$50.00, of which $10.00 shall be paid to the Na-
tional Grange. The State Grange having jurisdiction
over Associate Members shall report the number of
such members and forward their annual dues to the
Secretary of the National Grange. A dues notice
shall be forwarded to all Associate Members each
year by the Secretary of the Grange (Subordinate,
Pomona, or State), as provided for in the By-Laws
of the State Grange having jurisdiction.
(F) National Grange - Part of the membership dues
paid by Subordinate Granges and Associate Mem-
bers to State Granges shall be paid quarterly as
dues to the National Grange. Dues payable to the
National Grange shall be as follows:
(1) For each individual Subordinate Grangemember $2.50 quarterly ($5.00 for each family
membership), beginning January 1, 2008; and
$3.00 quarterly for each individual ($6.00 quar-
terly for each family membership) beginning on
January 1, 2010.
(2) For each Associate Grange member - $2.50
quarterly.
It is not intended that National Grange dues be paid
only if the State Grange is successful in collecting
dues. National Grange dues shall be paid on the to-tal actual membership reported by the State Grange
for that quarter.
It is specically provided that any changes to the
membership dues payable to the National Grange
adopted by amendment to these By-Laws shall be-
come effective on January 1, after the date of such
adoption as per Section 4.17.1 of the Digest.
No State Grange whose dues are unpaid for morethan one quarter shall be entitled to representation
in the National Grange.
4.8.3 Disbursement Procedure
(A) The funds of all Junior, Subordinate, and Po-
mona Granges, shall be disbursed by the named of-
cers of said Granges as follows:
Chapter 4: By-Laws
8/9/2019 Digest 2009
31/110
222009 Edition
(1) Secretary to prepare an order to t
